Chapter 29: Disappearance And Desperation (Friday the 13th, Full Moon, Unfortunate Thirteen Resolution and Desperation Chapter)

"Gray..... Khael....."

Tumingin sila sa paligid to check if Je is around ngunit gaya ng sinabi ko, he's nowhere to be found.

"Special A, please be calm. We will find him after we pull the curtains down here", he said at tiningnan ang bawat isa na naroon.

"But Khael....."

"He's still alive Amber. Don't worry", wika ni Gray. "I'm sure Jeremy's safe. Everyone please stay here kung ayaw niyong maulit ang ganitong pangyayari. Khael and I will go back to the dining hall for some investigations."

"But Gray.... Si Je...."

"Baka kumain lang iyon Special A, o kaya naman ay nagCR", Khael said. "Yo, Deltran. Please take a look on Special A. She's stubborn. Wag mo siyang hahayaang lumabas sa silid na ito."

Tiningnan lamang ito ni Zywon at tumango ng mahina na tila ba napipilitan. Nagpaalam na si Gray at Khael at agad na lumabas doon. Nang makalabas na ang dalawa ay saka lamang lumapit si Zywon sa akin.

"Matutunaw na ang soles ng boots mo, kanina ka pa palakad-lakad dyan. Take a seat Just Amber", wika niya at naupo sa bakanteng upuan na nasa harapan ko. Nakaupo ito na nakade-kwatro habang tinitingnan ako.

"I can't. I'm worried."

"Teka, ikaw yung nababalita na exchange student, diba? I'm Terrence", pakilala ng isang lalaki. Inabot niya ang isang kamay ngunit si Zywon ang tumanggap niyon.

"Just Amber. She's Just Amber", wika niya. Mukhang wala na talaga itong plano na alisin ang Just mula sa pangalan ko.

"It's Amber. Not Just Amber", wika ko at sinamaan ng tingin si Zywon. He maintained his cool and gave me his like-I-care look.

"Sigurado ba kayong wala sa inyo ang nakakita kay Jeremy?"

"That cute guy? Hindi ko na talaga siya nakita nang nagpunta tayo dito. I was so tensed about what's happening kaya hindi ko na pinagtuonan ng pansin ang bawat isa", sagot ni Khaye.

"Maging ako. Nang nagpunta ang lahat dito ay nauna ako kaya hindi ko na pinansin ang mga nahuli. I only noticed his disappearance nang sinabi mo na", wika naman ni Grezel. Mas lalo lamang akong kinabahan. Bakit? Bakit ganito? Am I a badluck? Napapahamak na kasi ang mga taong nalalapit sa akin. Patuloy lang ako sa ginagawa kong paglakad-balik at panay ang kuyom ng kamao. That's my usual reaction kapag kinakabahan ako. Bigla na lamang akong hinila ni Zywon and I almost landed on his lap!

The fudge!

"Sit down Just Amber. Mag-usap tayo", wika niya. Agad kong inayos ang sarili ko. Uhm, bakit ba kasi hindi na lamang ako sinama nina Gray at Khael or better yet hayaan na lamang akong hanapin si Jeremy!

"Ano namang pag-uusapan natin?", wika ko sa kanya. Alam kong gusto lamang niyang iwaksi sa isip ko ang tungkol kay Jeremy. Abala din ang iba sa pag-uusap. The boys are talking
about their girlfriends and flings. Seriously? Nakuha pa nilang mag-usap ng ganoon at times like this?

"Lovelife?"

"Wala akong ganoon."

"Oh. I see."

Tumahimik na ito. He's not good in making conversations but I guess he tried. Tumunog ang cellphone ko kaya agad ko iyong inilabas mula sa dala-dala kong clutch. It was a text message from Jeremy.

"Jeremy texted me!", natutuwang wika ko at agad na binuksan iyon.

"I have something to do. I'll be back later."

"Sabi sayo diba? He's safe", wika ni Zywon and I somewhat felt relieved. Mabuti naman at ligtas ito but where did he go?

"Si Jeremy nga ba ang nagtext nito?", I asked at pilit na inalala kung paano ito magtext. Hindi ito jejemon o kaya ay mahilig sa mga emoji kaya marahil ay si Jeremy nga ito. Agad akong nagreply sa kanya.

"Nasaan ka? Puntahan kita?"

After a few while ay nagreply ulit ito.

"Wag. Babalik din ako dyan."

After I read his text message ay agad ko ng ibinalik sa clutch ang cellphone. Atleast he's safe. Nawala na ang kaba na kanina pa sumasalakay sa akin.

"Ligtas ba ang kasama mo?", tanong ni Shaina sa akin. I nodded at her. She gave me a smile bago muling ibinaling ang atensyon sa boyfriend niya.

"Okay ka na?", Zywon asked at tumango ako. God! Hindi ko lubos maisip kung si Jeremy ay malagay sa panganib. I'm not saying that he's weak ngunit natatakot lamang ako na baka hindi niya kayang protektahan ang sarili niya.

"Good then", wika niya. "Ganyan ka ba talaga Just Amber?"

Nagtatakang tiningnan ko siya. "What was that supposed to mean?"

"You're so determined on finding Phobie before and now that weirdo Jeremy. Why do you care so much with the people around you but putting yourself in danger on the process. Bakit?"

Napatitig ako sa kanya. He doesn't know such feeling dahil hindi siya masyadong naging attach sa isang tao or maybe he just doesn't care.

"Because they're my friends", wika ko sa kanya.

"But is it alright? You don't know if the strength or maybe life that you're wasting for them is worth it. You don't know if they would do the same for you."

Palagi na lamang kaming ganito kung mag-usap. We're discussing a broad topic and not a specific one. Bakit hindi
na lang kasi niya ikwento sa akin in full detail ang nangyari sa kanila ng mga kaibigan niya?

"If you're a real friend, you won't ask them to do the same thing like you did. If you sacrificed a lot, you cannot ask them to sacrifice in return. That's not the real value of friendship", wika ko na saglit na ikinatahimik niya.

"Are you trying to lecture me?"

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.  "Am I?"

"Ewan."

"Can I ask you something Zywon?"

"Shoot."

"What happened to you and Gray? And please, don't give me a fairytale answer. Be straight to the point.", wika ko sa kanya. Mahirap na at baka may maisip na naman itong eksena ng mga prinsipe at reyna.

"Let's put it this way. I'm the north pole, he's the south. I'm hot and he's cold. I'm black and he's white. In other words we're of the different personalities but established a young friendship before but then we realized that the meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances, if there is any reaction, both are transformed", wika niya.

"Got it Allusion Prince. Kailan ka ba magsasalita ng direkta?"

He smirked at me. "Oh, I can't open up to you Just Amber. We're not close and even if we are, I don't open up to anyone."

Uh, I guess I cannot force him to do so. Zywon have high walls surrounding him and I cannot break or climb those.

"Can I ask you a little favor? Let's go out of this room and look for Jeremy", wika ko sa kanya.

"Your bodyguards just said no one will leave this room", wika niya. Bodyguards? Uh, he must meant Gray and Khael.

"I was thinking you don't listen to anyone. I guess I was wrong."

He took a deep breathe.  "Fine." Tumayo siya at hinarap ang iba pang nasa loob ng silid. "Hey everyone. I have to accompany this girl to the comfort room. She said kanina pa nag-aalburoto ang tiyan niya and she can't hold it back anymore."

"Yeah, sure. Go ahead", Marlon said. "Hihintayin na lang namin kayo dito", wika naman ni Khaye.

"Don't leave this room just like what those two said", paalala niya sa kanila at sumang-ayon naman ito. The moment we went out the door ay agad ko siyang siniko sa sikmura.

"Ugh. Para saan iyon?", he asked.

"That's for the alibi. CR, eh? Good idea", I said sarcastically and he just chuckled.

"That's the best I could come up with", wika niya. We started checking every room ngunit wala si Jeremy sa mga naroong silid hanggang sa marating namin ang study na napuntahan namin kanina. Jeremy wasn't there but I have this urge to enter.

"Oh, wala dito si Jeremy, bakit ka pumasok?", Zywon asked and I just shrugged my shoulders. I don't know why I want to enter the study. I checked the things on the dusty table. May mga newspaper clippings doon like the Manila Bulletin and even local ones. Mayroon ding Times magazine, mga Reader's Digest and an old issue of a Wall Street Journal and Forbes. I didn't bother to scan those at tiningnan na lamang ang mga libro na nasa shelves. Novels, references, magazines and books of foreign authors are present. Kumuha ako ng isang libro ngunit agad ding inilapag iyon nang magsalita si Zywon.

"What now Just Amber? Gusto mo bang magbasa? Seriously, at a time like this? The killer must still be lurking around", wika niya. Ibinalik ko ang kinuha kong libro and then my phone rang. Agad ko iyong sinagot.

"Where are you Special A?", tanong ni Khael mula sa kabilang linya.

"I—I'm at the CR. Sige, we're on our way back. See you!" Agad kong pinatay ang tawag. "Let's go back to the thirteenth room. Hinahanap na nila tayo."

"They already solved the case? Oh, pretty fast. As expected", wika niya at nakapamulsang sumunod sa akin. As expected? Kung ganon ay malaki ang paniniwala nito na kaya ngang i-solve ng dalawa ang kaso. His idea of not calling a police is a sign too. Eventhough hindi maganda ang relasyon nila, he still believes that Gray and Khael can solve the case on their
own.

Agad kaming bumalik sa thirteenth room at parehas na sinamaan ng tingin nina Khael at Gray si Zywon.

"Alam niyo ba kung sino ang pumatay kay Anthony at Zach? What happened to Zach? I thought he's just sleeping", wika ni Ralph.

"Yes, he's sleeping. Eternally", sagot ni Khael. "And the culprit is here with us."

Bahagyang natakot ang bawat isa. Sino ba ang hindi matatakot? The killer could be the one sitting beside you.

"Siguro ang killer ni Anthony, nandito, but Zach's killer? No one left the dining hall after Zach. Imposible naman na pinatay siya ng killer before he left the room. We saw him walked through the door right? Is it possible na may dalawang killer?", tanong naman ni Terrence na mas ikinatakot ng lahat.

"No. Just one clever culprit who forgot about our existence at may lakas ng loob na pumatay ng dalawang tao", wika ni Gray. Isa-isa niyang tiningnan ang mga naroon na tila ba sinasabing
alam niya ang lahat.

"So who killed them?", tanong ni Khaye. "At ano ang dahilan niya para gawin iyon?"

"We know the killer but not his motive but we can ask him about that later. Let's start how did the culprit manage to poison Anthony. During your search for the numbers, sino ang kasama ninyo?", Khael asked.

"Magkasama kami nina Khaye, Grezel, Anthony at Terrence", sagot ni Marlon.

"Ibig sabihin ay ibang grupo din ang iba since magkasama din kaming apat?"

"Kasama ko ang girlfriend ko. We're on the second floor", wika ni Ralph.

"Mag-isang naghanap sina Zach at Zywon", Shaina said.

"Ah, ibig sabihin, Anthony's killer must be within his group", wika ni Khael na ikinagalit nilang lahat.

"Pinagbibintangan mo ba kaming mamamatay-tao Khael?", galit na wika ni Terrence.

"Nope. I'm saying na isa sa inyo. It's the only way the culprit can apply the poison."

"Ngunit bakit siya nalason nung kinain niya ang cake?", tanong ni Grezel. I don't think the cake has something to do with it. Gaya ng sabi ni Zywon kanina, he already finished his cake and there he is, alive and kicking. Muling nagsalita si Khael. "The culprit took advantage of Anthony's mannerism. Ano ba ang napansin niyo sa kanya? Did he lick his fingers while he was eating?"

"Oh! Now I remember! He did kanina!", wika ni Terrence. "Ibig sabihin ay nasa kamay mismo ni Anthony ang lason and when he ate his cake, he licked his fingers? But didn't he used a fork?"

"Yes he did but look at his mouth. There are some chocolate that smudged on the side of his lips. It's clear that he removed the chocolate on his mouth using his finger", wika ni Khael which made everyone shocked.

This time ay nagsalita na rin si Gray. "As of Zach, the culprit put some chloral hydrate on the water that he got."

"What's a chloral hydrate?", Khaye asked.

"It's a compound which is used as sedative with limitation and also as hypnotic drug. Marahil ay na-overdose siya sa chloral hydrate that's why nawalan siya ng malay. Then the culprit went near him and pricked him the cyanide using a hypodermic needle", Gray said. Nasa mukha nilang dalawa ang pagiging sigurado. They both flashed their usual victorious and mischievous smile.

"Then who did it?"

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa ni Khael. "It's Marlon Ponce", sabay nilang wika na ikinagulat ng lahat lalo na ni Marlon. Saglit lamang itong nagulat at agad na napalitan ng tawa.

"Mukhang kinakalawang na ang ating mga detective. Paano ko naman ginawa iyon? If you only based it on the fact that I'm the heir of some large hospitals kaya may access ako sa mga chemical compound na pinangalanan ninyo, then this is such a lousy deduction show. Hindi magkaka-merit ang circumstantial evidence, can't you present a concrete one?"

Mas lalo lamang napangiti si Gray. "Ah, about that, of course we can since the evidence is still with you. The needle that you used for Zach. Without thinking that we knew about the chloral hydrate, idinispose mo na ang bote ng chloral hydrate sa trash bin and I bet we can find your fingerprints on this", wika niya at ipinakita sa amin ang isang bote na dala niya pero gumamit siya ng panyo upang hindi dumikit ang fingerprints niya. "You pretended to help Ralph in finding the cake with different flavor and that's how you managed to put the sedative agent in the tumbler, taking into account what Zach said, he preferred water than coffee so it's so convenient to you. Why don't you show us the needle or better tell us why you did it?"

Tumiim ang anyo ni Marlon at galit na galit ito. Pinunas niya ang pawisang mukha sa kanyang braso. "I could sue the two of you for slander!"

"Oh. We're scared", wika ni Khael. "I have one question though. Bakit hindi mo magawang ipunas sa mukha mo ang palad mo? You used your arms instead."

Mas bumakas pa ang pagkagulat sa mukha ni Marlon. Everyone looked at him as if they're saying to confess his crime.

"Is it because takot kang magaya sa mga biktima mo? You didn't used a glove because that's suspicious so you're barehanded and had a direct contact with the poison. You already washed your hands ngunit hindi ka sigurado kung natanggal nga ba ang lahat ng lason sa kamay mo ng hinawakan mo ang bagay na pinahawak mo rin kay Anthony", Gray said.

That's when Marlon sighed. Inilabas niya ang hypidermic needle mula sa kanyang bulsa. "Mukhang wala na akong kawala. Yes, I killed Zach and Anthony."

"But why?", halos hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Shaina. "Hindi ba magkaibigan kayo?"

Tumawa ito ng pagak. "Magkaibigan? No we're not. Parehas lamang kaming angat sa buhay kaya lagi kaming magkasama but we're not really friends. Those two are bastards. Alam niyo bang sinisiraan nila ang ospital namin? Especially Zach. Malakas ang impluwensiya ng pamilya nila. He even embarrassed me in a social gathering kaya hindi ako nagsisisi na ginawa ko iyon. I should have killed them in a brutal way pero sapat na ang kamatayan para sa kanila. I will surrender myself but I will never regret this", wika ni Marlon at muling bumuntong-hininga.

"Are you happy now? Masaya ka na ba dahil napatay mo sila?", wika ni Zywon. Tumawa siyang pagak. "If I were you ay hindi ko sila pinatay. That's easier for them. You should have let them suffer the consequences of what they did."

Tiningnan ko siya and I saw a guy wrapped in hatred and anger. Kung gayon nang sinabi niyang he will crash the mafia, he meant destroying them and not killing.

Saglit na namayani ang katahimikan doon at binasag iyon ng pagtunog ng cellphone ko kaya agad kong sinagot iyon ng makita na si Jeremy ang tumatawag.

"Je..."

"Amber...." He didn't call me Bestie and he sounded so serious. Malakas at mabigat din ang paghinga nito.

"Jeremy, nasaan ka?", unti-unting bumangon ang kaba sa dibdib ko nang marinig ko ang seryosong boses nito.

"Amber.... Help me. Please", wika niya at tama nga ang hinala ko. He's in a desperate situation!

"Je! Nasaan ka?"

"Amber... I'm — I'm at the comfort room." I made a face. Is this one of his jokes? Humihingi ng tulong habang nasa CR?

"Je, you're not funny—"

"Amber I'm not joking. Puntahan ninyo ako dito sa CR please. I really need some help. I don't want to die yet", wika niya at nataranta na ako.

"Jeremy just stay calm. Papunta na kami", wika ko at bumaling kay Gray at Khael na nakatunghay sa akin.

"Jeremy's in grave danger", wika ko at agad akong napatakbo palabas ng thirteenth room at sumunod naman sina Gray at Khael. I checked every CR on that floor ngunit wala ito.

"Special A, what's happening?", tanong ni Khael sa akin. It seems like my mind's lost. Malakas ang pitik ng dibdib ko.

"Si Jeremy! We need to find him", nanginginig na wika ko.

"Relax Special A."

I opened the door and slammed it back nang hindi ko makita si Jeremy. "He's not here! Maybe at the second floor", wika ko at tinakbo ang mahabang hagdan. Nagulat na lamang ako ng hinila ni Gray ang braso ko and then he pulled me towards him. Pinunasan niya ang mga luhang hindi ko namalayan na tumutulo na pala sa mga mata ko.

"Why are you crying?", wika niya. "We can save Jeremy, mark my word. You don't have to stress yourself that much", wika niya habang panay ang pahid sa mga luha ko gamit ang kanyang kamay.

We can save Jeremy. Mark my word.

We can save Jeremy. Mark my word.

We can save Jeremy. Mark my word.

We can save Jeremy. Mark my word.

We can save Jeremy. Mark my word.

Paulit-ulit na nagpi-playback sa utak ko ang sinabi niya and it was very reassuring. Napatitig ako kay Gray. His words were soothing at naramdaman ko na lang ang sarili ko na bahagyang nagrelax.

Bumitaw lang siya sa akin ng tumikhim si Khael. Agad kong tinakbo ang hagdan at sumunod sila sa akin. I checked the comfort room their at nandoon nga si Jeremy, sitting on top of the covered toilet bowl. Wala itong suot na upper na damit at may tila maliit na box na nakastrapped sa katawan nito.

"Je!" I was about to hug him ngunit pinigilan niya ako.

"Stay right there Amber", wika niya. He pointed the small black box strapped on his body, about the size of a small portable CD player. "I'm doomed." Inabot niya sa akin ang isang nakatuping papel. Agad ko namang binasa iyon at maging sina Gray at Khael na nasa likuran ko.
It reads:

The black box is booby-trapped. Inside it is a powerful plastic explosive. Don't try opening it or the timer will trigger. To open it safely, send me two famous names that you have decoded from this Unfortunate Thirteen party.

The names must coincide with the clues scattered inside the thirteenth room. Once you have given me the right answers, I will give you the right combination and instruction to take off the explosives. This letter comes with a phone that you can use to communicate with me. Happy Friday the 13th!

P.S. Don't try unstrapping the explosives before giving me the right answer or you will regret it.

Inabot ni Jeremy sa amin ang isang cellphone. "I just woke up in this room with these things. Ang huli kong naalala, someone knocked me down while I went to pee. I didn't had the chance to see who it was. Mabigat ang box na ito and I believe that these are really explosives."

"Jeremy just stay calm. Tumayo ka dyan at bumalik tayo sa thirteenth room", Khael said ngunit napatungo lamang si Je.

"What if the sender still blow me even if we gave him the right names? Dito na lamang ako. Save yourself—"

Bigla na lamang itong sinuntok ni Gray! His lip bleed so it must really be a strong punch. Nagtatakang napatingin kaming lahat kay Gray.

"Gray? Why...."

"Now, nagising na ba ang diwa mo? Why would we leave you alone? Just like what military always say, never leave your partner. And here I am thinking that you still want the Detective Triumvirate to be complete", wika niya. He was very serious and this is the first time that I have heard him agreed in the imaginary detective group by Jeremy.

Pinunasan ni Je ang dugo mula sa kanyang labi. "That's good to hear but I'm just thinking about you guys. Ayokong madamay pa—" Hindi ulit natuloy ang sasabihin nito ng sinuntok naman ito ni Khael.

"Khael!", saway ko ng sinuntok din ito ni Khael sa kabilang pisngi. Uh, mag-asawang suntok?

"It's okay Special A. Nainggit lang ako kay Silvan, I need to punch him too. Anyway, I guess that will make him more awake", wika niya.

Sinamaan sila ng tingin ni Jeremy bago ito tumayo mula sa toilet bowl. "You will pay for this if ever I survive this. Let's give it a try. I know you three can do this", wika niya.

Lumabas kami ng CR at bumalik sa thirteenth room na mas ikinagulat ng lahat nang makita nila ang naka-strap sa katawan ni Jeremy.

"Mamamatay tayong lahat dito! The doors are closed when we decided to went home. Hindi rin tayo pwedeng dumaan sa bintana dahil may mga grills doon! What are we gonna do now?", Ralph said at napaupo sa sofa. Everyone's worried. We're stuck inside with two corpses and a bomb strapped on Je.

"We have to call the police!", suhestiyon ni Khael at inilabas ang cellphone niya ngunit bigla na lamang tumunog ulit ang speaker.

"Don't call anyone or it will trigger the bomb. I can see and hear everything so don't make any move. Just follow what's written on the paper. The clues are within this room, just look around."

"Argh! We're really dead!" Inilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid. I don't see any CCTV cameras but since the host can hear and see us, he must have installed some hidden cameras around.

Nakaupo lamang si Jeremy. I can't see any emotions in his face but I'm sure hindi madali ang pinagdadaanan niya ngayon. He's life is in line at nagi-guilty pa ito dahil nadadamay kaming lahat.

"Mamamatay na ba tayo dito?", takot na tanong ni Grezel. "Friday the thirteenth is really unlucky! Oh God!"

Tumunog ang malaking relo na naroon and it indicates that it's already 12 in the midnight. Friday the 13th is over so the bad luck must really be over too. But is it really an unlucky number?

We started searching for the clues inside the room. Ano nga ba ang kakaiba sa silid na iyon? Maliban sa sobrang lawak, the walls were painted black and there were 13 paintings of roads around. Uh, why roads?

"Oh! I found the number seven!", wika ni Marlon at inilapag iyon mesa. The numbers are not our priority now. Kailangan naming mahanap ang mga clues na iniwan ng host!

"And here's number one!", Zywon said. Tumulong ang bawat isa sa paghahanap ng bawat clue.

Lumapit ako kay Gray na nakatayo sa harap ng kalendaryo. It wasn't on June but instead ay nasa October iyon. "Do you think this one's a clue?", he asked

Tumitig ako sa kalendaryo. "Yes, possibly." It was on October sa halip na June kaya marahil ay sinadya iyon.

"Oh, number eight. I found number eight", wika ni Khael. Mukhang wala pa kaming clue na nakikita. Puros mga number lamang —

Wait.

Hindi kaya ay mga clues din ang number na iyon? Tiningnan ko ang mga numbers na nakita nila. Seven. One. Eight. One hundred eighty seven. One hundred seventy eight. Eight hundred seventeen. Uh, it doesn't make sense. There are lots of combinations using this number.

Inilapag ni Shaina sa mesa ang isa pang number. "Here's number nine. I don't get it. Ano naman ang mga clues na pwede nating makuha sa kwartong ito? And what's its connection to the thirteen of us?"

"Maybe we'll have to see what's common between us", wika ni Zywon. What's common between us? Parehas na taga Athena maliban sa aming tatlo ni Jeremy at Gray. They're both rich just like what Khael and Gray observed.

"Hindi kaya isa itong act of extortion? You see, almost everyone's family is known for their names kaya baka nais lamang magkapera ng sino mang mastermind nito", suhestiyon ni Khael.

Act of extortion? Yes, it's possible but why didn't he ask for a sum? Kung iyon nga ang motibo ng host, then sana ay kanina pa niya sinabi iyon. Inilibot ko ulit ang paningin sa kabuoan ng silid and I saw the hidden camera. I look for more camera's ngunit wala akong makita. Is it possible that the other cameras are hidden in the big mirror? May malaki kasing salamin sa isang dingding. Maybe the other cameras are there. Niyuko ko ang mga ilalim ng sofa at may hinanap doon. If I found those, then it will confirm my suspicion.

"What are you doing Just Amber?", tanong ni Zywon nang isa-isa kong tiningnan ang ilalim ng mesa at sofa. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy lamang. There wasn't any. Then it
means —

Tiningnan ko ulit ang mga numbers na nasa mesa. Tumingin ako sa kabuoan ng kwarto at sa kalendaryo. Bumalik rin sa gunita ko ang mga nakita namin sa study kanina. I looked at everyone around especially Gray and Khael.

Nakapagtatakang inimbitahan si Gray sa pagtitipon na ito and then it occured to me that I got it right!

Lumapit ako kay Jeremy at inilahad ang palad ko. "Give me the phone."

"Amber? You figured it out?"

"Special A?"

"Just Amber...."

"Just give me the phone Je", utos ko sa kanya ay agad naman iyong inabot ni Jeremy sa akin. I dialled the only number that was saved there at agad na tinawagan iyon. It only took few
seconds at agad na sinagot iyon ng host.

"Too soon huh", wika ng boses.

"Yes because I can't wait to reveal who you are. As of the names that you are asking, I know the answer", wika ko. Nakikinig silang lahat sa akin so I decided to turn the phone's speaker on

"Really? How smart of you Young lady. Then what are those?", tanong niya.

"Not too fast. Hindi mo ba ako tatanungin kung paano ko nalaman?", wika ko sa kanya.

"Yeah. I don't see any clues so I'm curious Just Amber", singit ni Zywon sa usapan.

"Okay, as you wish. Then how did you figure it out Young lady?", tanong ng lalaki mula sa kabilang linya.

"Simulan natin sa hitsura ng silid na ito. The walls are black and there are 13 different paintings but all are streets and roads. Then looking at the numbers 8, 7, 1 and 9. The calendar of the month October. The invited unfortunate thirteen. It's no doubt you're asking for the famous names—". I paused for a while and tossed the phone away na ikinagulat nilang lahat.

"Hey! What did you just do?"

"Amber...." Maging si Je ay nagulat sa ginawa ko. I gave him an assuring look.

"Don't worry Je. It's not needed anyway", nilakasan ko ang boses ko. "The names you are asking are IVAN BOESKY and MICHAEL MILKEN."

"Sino ang mga iyan?", Terrence asked.

"Those are criminals of the Wall Street Scandal, right?", tanong ni Khael.

"Exactly. Boesky is known for his share-trading fraud role and a number of separate insider dealing scams while Milken is notable for the development of the market for junk bond and for his conviction following a guilty plea on felony charges. Those names are what the clues point out", wika ko.

"But what are the clues?", tanong ni Jeremy.

"Look around. The wall have paintings of roads so we can assume that it points out WALL STREET. This calendar, which is on October and the numbers that we found says it all. If we arrange these numbers, we will get 1987, and connects it to the month of October. October 19, 1987 was the Black Monday, or the time that the stock markets crashed. Marami ang mga kilala sa Wall Street Scandal but basing on the Unfortunate 13, it's clear that you must mean those two. The rich people here are the clues to the Wall Street Scandal. Inimbitahan mo kaming dalawa ni Jeremy upang maging hostage. You invited the famous high school detectives, Khael and Gray to carry out this plan. Gray Ivan Silvan, must be Ivan Boesky and Mikhael Timothy Alonzo for Michael Milken. They have the same name. Maybe you wanted to check if the plot that you have in mind would work so you planned to elaborate this piece by piece by conducting this experiment right—

Mister ex-board of regent of Athena slash author of Science fiction but now planning to write a mystery, Peter Medrano?"

Everyone was surprised that he was the one who plotted this. Narinig namin ang pagak nitong pagtawa mula sa speakers na nasa silid.

"I'm surprised that you're the first one to figure it out. I'm expecting that my two protagonist would figure it out first. Well, Young lady, what are you planning to do now?"

"This", wika ko at hinila ang maliit na box na nakastrap sa katawan ni Je na ikinagulat nilang lahat.

"Amber!"

Tinanggal ko ang box mula sa katawan ni Jeremy. "These aren't plastic explosives. You just used it to inject fear and bluff us."

Itinapon ko sa sahig ang box at nabasag iyon. Its contents were small wires from an electrical components and if my deduction is right, I'm pretty sure na walang threat iyon.

"Paano mo naman nasabi iyan?", tanong ng boses mula sa speaker.

"You can't risk your life too. You're in this room with us, right behind the mirror", wika ko. They hardly believe what I said but when I opened the the door next to the mirror ay tumambad sa harap namin ang isang lalaking may dala ng baril. He raised his gun towards us.

"I never thought that you got that much. I'm very impressed", wika ng lalaki. Napaatras ako ng itinutok niya ang baril sa akin. I guess I'm a gun magnet. Scenes like this are always familiar to me.

"I was planning to ask only the names but not as much exposing like this. Young lady, I can't let you live and destroy my plan of writing this scenario. Alam mo bang matagal ko itong pinag-isipan? Writing a crime novel using historical references ngunit napakadali lang sa iyo na isiwalat lahat ng iyon?", wika niya at unti-unti akong napaatras until Gray pulled me
towards them. Tinago niya ako sa likuran niya at hinarap ang lalaki. It's the same face that we saw on the old frame at the study but a bit older.

"What do you want?", lakas-loob na tanong niya.

"Your silence."

"We give you our word that we'll keep silent. Just let us go", wika niya.

Tumawa ang lalaki. "You can't fool me. Tandaan mo mas nauna ako sa inyo sa duyan kaya I cannot trust—"

Bigla na lamang hinampas ni Jeremy ang lalaki gamit ang itim na box na may electrical components na dating naka-strap sa kanya.

Nabitawan ng lalaki ang baril at natumba ito. Agad na kinuha ni Khael ang baril mula sa sahig bago pa man ito muling makuha ni Mr. Peter Medrano.

"Oops. Sorry. That's for taking me as a hostage", wika ni Jeremy at muling hinampas ito sa ulo. "And that's for taking my shirt! God! I don't flaunt my abs", he said with a hint of playfulness. I guess hindi na mawawala iyon kay Jeremy. "Kanina pa sumasakit ang tiyan ko."

Nagtangkang tumayo ulit si Mr. Medrano ngunit nagsalita si Zywon. "Don't do anything Sir. The police are on their way. If I were you ay hindi na ako gagawa ng hakbang na mas lalong makakasira sa pangalan ko."

The boys seize Mr. Medrano at itinali ito. We searched for the keys on him at binuksan ang bahay. We found out that he hired those people na nagdala sa amin dito but none of them knows his true motive. Their services ended when the Unfortunate 13 was completed.

Hindi nagtagal ay narinig na namin ang sirena ng mga pulis. They captured Mister Medrano and when his lawyer arrived, he insisted that his client was experiencing a psychotic episode this time. It often happens to him according to his lawyer. He insisted that Mister Medrano had become obsessed in writing his novel and that's why he wanted to live the role in his plot.

Maging si Marlon ay dinampot din ng mga police for his two murders. I don't know if he will suffer his consequences in prison o kung underage pa ba ito. As of now, everthing was fine.

Pinauwi na kaming lahat matapos kunin ang pahayag namin. Jeremy walked beside me at nakangiti. He's still topless dahil hindi namin makita sa loob ang damit niya.

"Bestie...." He's back with calling me bestie again.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you!", nakayukong wika niya. "Thank you for saving me. Kayong lahat. Alam mo bang nung hindi ko pa alam na hindi pala iyon explosives ay nawala na ang takot ko dahil sa inyo. So thank you... For real.."

Bigla na lamang itong binatukan ni Khael. "Ang drama mo dude", wika niya. "We can't let you die. Wala nang sisira sa araw namin kasi wala na ang mga puns mo."

"I agree", wika ni Gray.

Nagpout si Jeremy. "Ang sabihin niyo, mamimiss niyo talaga ang quizzes ko. Sige na nga, pagbibigyan ko kayo. Ito, sample. Ano ang tawag sa hayop na walang gilagid?" I made a face at him. Err, Jeremy's really back.

"Shoot puns. I'm too tired to think", wika ni Gray.

"Edi Lang Gum. Duh!", Je said at pinaikot ang eyeballs niya bago tumawa. "Saan ginagawa ang mga uling?"

Napalabi na din si Khael. "Sa pagawaan."

"Edi sa Coal Center. Duh again", he said again at natawa ulit. Still, no good for me. "Ano ang tawag sa taong walang baga?"

"Hikain?", Khael asked at binatukan ito ni Gray.

"Weak yung baga nila. Patay ka na kapag wala kang baga", he said at sinamaan ito ng tingin ni Khael.

"Edi Wala Lung. HAHAHAHAHAHA", Jeremy said. Uh, just as I thought, wala pa ring kwenta.. "Anong puno ang
hindi pwedeng akyatin?"

"Yung walang sanga!", sagot ni Khael. I think he's in the mood to answer Je's puns.

"Khael walang sanga ang puno ng niyog", paaalala ko sa kanya.

"Hala, oo nga Special A ano? Di ko naisip yun ha."

"Ang slow niyo, edi yung nakatumba! Nge!", Je said at tumawa ulit. "Isa pa ha? Ano ang similarity ng UTOT at TULA?"

"Jeremy andami mo ng tinanong. Reserve those para bukas", tinatamad na wika ni Gray. Papunta kami sa naka-park niyang kotse. Kanya-kanya ding tawag ng sundo ang iba matapos
magpasalamat sa amin.

"Wag kang mag-alala Gray. Marami akong baon", sagot nito. "Ano na sagot niyo?"

"Jeremy awat na", wika ko sa kanya ngunit di niya ako pinansin.

"Ewan."

"Edi pareho silang nagmula sa POET! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA", he burst out laughing hanggang sa maubo ito. "Last na to talaga. Ano ang pwede mong sgawin sa gabi na hindi mo pwedeng gawin sa umaga?"

Narating na namin ang kotse ni Gray ngunit hindi pa rin umaawat si Jeremy. Dumating ang isang sasakyan at isang lalaking nagdadrive ng motor. Huminto ang mga ito sa harap ni
Zywon. The guy in the big bike tossed a helmet to him at bumaba sa motor. Lumipat ito sa kotse at si Zywon naman ang sumakay sa motor. Bahagya niya akong sinulyapan bago isinuot ang helmet at sumakay sa motor at pinaharurot iyon palayo.

"Shoot puns."

"Edi magpuyat! Hahahahaha!", wika ni Jeremy. His laughter echoed throughout the area.

Uh, I guess this is either his post-trauma effect o kabag dahil kanina pa ito topless. Whatever it is, I'm glad that he's safe.

#

-ShinichiLaaaabs♥